Venetian blind tilting device



0a, 29, 1935. R. c. PRATT I 2,019,270 VENETIAN BLIND TI'LTINGJEVIOE V Filed May 10, 1934 H 1m! iH' -11 lll llh.

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R/WMoA/O c Qi Patented Oct. 29, 1935 PATENT. OFFICE 2,019,270 VENETIAN BLIND TILTING DEVICE Raymond C. Pratt, Chicago, Ill., assignor to H. B.

Dodge and Company. Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 10, 1934, Serial No. 724,934

17 Claims.

This invention relates to Venetian blinds, and particularly to a tilting cord device for use on Venetian blinds.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel improved operating device for shifting or' tilting the tilting bar if a Venetian blind.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attractive appearing tilting cord device which is completely housed within an ornamental casing and which is provided-with a plurality of meshing gears which operate practically noiselessly, and which is provided with means for limiting the arcuate or rotative movement of one of the gears.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tilting device for Venetian blinds which comprises aplurality or train of gears, one of the gears having a pinion operating in an arcuate slot, and having means provided for creating a friction on some of the operating elements so that the position of the slats will not be changed unless positively operated by the operating cord.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail elevation of a Venetian blind partly in section and embodying the invention.

Fig. 2is a detail perspective view of the improved tilting device.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the friction washer or element.

The Venetian blind herein shown for the purpose of illustration comprises an upper supporting member 5 carrying pulleys 6 over which operating cords I pass for raising and lowering the blind. A tilting bar 8 is positioned immediately below the upper supporting member 5, and this tilting bar has tapes 9 fastened thereto which support slats ill in proper spaced relationship.

The tilting bar 8 is for the purpose of tilting the slats at the desired angle, the slats conformmg to the angle which the tilting bar assumes.

A Venetian blind tilting device II is provided on the line for tilting the tilting bar 8 and for holding the tilting bar in its tilted position. The device H comprises a casing or housingl2 which is made of a casing portion l3 and a removable cover plate l4. 5

A wedge-shaped pulley I5 is formed with an axle l6 which is revolubly mounted in the casing I2. A pinion I1 is rigidly fixed to the pulley 5 l5 and meshes with an idler gear l8 which is revolubly mounted on a pin l9 carried by the casing. Atilting gear 20 is provided with a thick- I ened. portion .or bushing 2|. A pin 22 projects outwardly from a face of the tilting gear 20 and extends through an arcuate slot 23 formed in the part I3 of the casing l2. This arcuate slot is practically one-half of a circle and permits 180 movement of the tilting gear 20. A pin or shaft 24, having a squared projection 25, removably carries the tilting gear-20. This pin or shaft 24, while removable with respect to the gear 20, is held in position and in fixed driving relationship to the gear by means of a removable pin 26 which passes through the bushing or hub 2|. 2 In other words, removal of the removable pin permits the gear 20 to be removed from the shaft 26. The gear 20, including the bushing or hub 2|, is provided with extensions 2-! on each side thereof and provides bearings for revolubly mounting the tilting gear 20. These projections or extensions 21 extend a predetermined distance through openings 28 and '29 in the casing portion l3 and cover plate M respectively. The squared end 25 of the shaft or pin 24 is receivable in a square opening 30 in the tilting bar 8 so that during revoluble movement of the shaft or pin 24, the tilting bar 8 will be tilted through variousangles. The purpose of making the shaft or pin 24 removable is so that it can be removed from the bushing or hub 2| and inserted in the opposite side so as to make the tilting device capable for both right and left-hand operation. In the drawing the tilting device is shown mounted on the left-hand side of a Venetian blind with 49 the squared portion extending from the righthand side thereof. If, however, it is desired to use the same tilting device. for right-hand operation, that is, with the tilting device mounted on the right-hand side of the blind. the locking pin 26 is removed and the shaft taken out so that the square part of the shaft would extend through the opening 29 in the closure plate l4 instead of the square end extending through the opening 28 in the casing portion l3. Therefore, by 'simply removing the screw 26 and insertingthe shaft or pin 24 into the-opposite side of the bushing or' hub 2|, the device can be convertedieasily from left-hand to right-hand operation, the position of the tilting gear 20 not being disturbed.

none of the parts can become damaged or jambed.

To assist in frictionally maintaining the blind in its tilted position, a friction element is provided. This friction element comprises a washer 32 fixed to the cover plate l4. This washer is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings or holes 33 into which a ball 34 is pressed by a spring 35. The ball 34 and spring 35 are mounted in a recess 36 formed in the pulley i which includes a .thickened portion 31. The ball 34 is in constant engagement with the washer 32 and during rotative movement of the pulley IS, the ball 34 will click past the openings 33. However when the ball 34 is in a respective opening 33, the friction will be somewhat increased and, therefore, should there be any tendency of the slats to flatten out by wind pressure or otherwise, the straightening-out effect could not be greater than the distance between the spaced holes 33 because the ball 34 would be seated in one of the openings 33. The additional friction created by the ball 34 engaging its proper socket or opening 33, tends to frictionally hold the blind in its proper tilted position. However, operation of the cord to rotate the pulley l 5 permits the ball to click past the respective openings. Normally the train of gears, including the pinion II, the idler gear l8 and the tilting gear 20, are sufficient to prevent the blind from straighten= ing out, but to overcome or prevent the danger of windpressure from interfering with the tilted position of the slats, theratchet ball 34 and wash- .er 32 are provided. This ratchet ball 34 and washer 32 positively but resiliently hold the slats of the blind at the desired angle regardless of the wind pressure on the tilted slats.

The upper part of the casing i2 is provided with an opening 38 to permit new cords to be placed around the pulley and threaded through the casing. To assist in threading new cords, a guard 39 is fixed to a part of the casing as clearly shown in Fig. 3. This guard also assists in preventing the cord 3| from slipping off of the wedge-shaped pulley. 1

The cover plate i4 is fastened to its cooperating part l3 of the casing by means of screws threadedly engaging bosses 43.

Fasteners 4i may be integrally formed with the casing so that the tilting device may be fastened to the upper structure 5 by suitable fastening means, such as screws42.

Operation To operate the tilting bar 8 to tilt this bar and consequently the slats ID, the tilting cord 3| is operated. Movement of the tilting cord 3| causes rotation of the wedge-shaped pulley l5 which causes rotation of the tilting gear 20 through the intermediary of the idler gear IS. The rotation of the tilting gear 20, however, is limited by the pin 22 engaging the slot 23. If, however, the cord is still pulled after the pin 22 is at the end of the slot 23, the cord will merely slide over the pulley. The rotation of the tilting gear 23 will cause rotation. of the shaft or pin 24 and inasmuch asthe end of the shaft or pin 24 is squared as indicated at 25, the tilting bar I will be moved through various angles-to conform with the rotag efliciently operating device for operating the tilting bar of a-Venetian blind. The hand operating cord on the operating pulley is so positioned that it willextend forwardly a predetermined distance from the top bar of the blind, thereby permitting convenient operation. The device is provided with means for restricting the revolubie movement of the tilting bar, as it isonly necessary to operate the tilting bar 180 to effect positions of the slats. The device is eflicient and practically noiseless in operation, contains relatively few and simple parts and can be quickly and economically manufactured and assembled.

' Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the-parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacriflcing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A tilting device. for Venetian blinds comprising a tilting gear, cord operated means for rotatso ing the tilting gear, and stop means controlled by the position of the tilting gear for limiting rotation of said gear.

2. A tilting device for Venetian blinds comprising a tilting gear, cord operated means for rotating the tilting gear, and means for limiting the rotation of the tilting gear, said last means comprising a slot and pin connection.

3. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a casing, a gear revolubly mounted in said cas 4,0 ing, a rotatable pulley for rotating said gear, and means rotatably mounted in the casing an connecting said pulley and gear. 4. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a casing, a gearrevolubly mounted in said casing, a rotatable pulley for rotating said gear, means rotatably mounted in the casing and connecting said pulley and gear,said casing having an arcuate slot therein, and a pin mounted on the gear and extending through said slot for limiting the I revoluble movement of said gear. 5. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a rotatably mounted pulley, a pinion on said pulley, a rotatably mounted tilting gear, and an idler gear connecting said tiltinggear and pinion whereby rotative movement of said pulley causes rotative movement of said tilting gear.

6. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a rotatably mounted pulley, a pinion on said pulley, a. rotatably mounted tilting gear, an idler gear connecting said tilting gear and pinion whereby rotative movement-of said pulley causes rotative movement of said tilting gear, and a casing in which said pulley, pinion, idler gear and tilting gear are mounted. 7. A- Venetian blind tiltingdevice comprising a rotatably mounted pulley,'a pinion on said pulley, a rotatably-mounted tilting gear, an idler gear connecting said tilting gear and pinion whereby rotative movement of said pulley causes rotative movement of said tilting gear, a casing in which said pulley, pinion, idler gear and tilting gear are mounted, said casing having an arcuate slot therein, and a pin on said tilting gear and engaging said slot for limiting the rotative movement of said tilting gear.

8. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a rotatably mounted pulley, a pinion on said pulley, a rotatably mounted tilting gear, an idler gear connecting said tilting gear and pinion whereby rotative movement of said pulley/causes rotative movement of said tilting gear, a casing in which said pulley, pinion, idler gear and tilting gear are mounted, said casing having an arcuate slot therein, a pin on said tilting gear and engaging said slot for limiting the rotative movement of said tilting gear, a spring pressed ball'carried by said pulley, and a disk carried by said casing and adapted to have contacting relationship with said ball.

9. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a rotatably mounted pulley, a pinion on said.pul-.'

ley, a rotatably mounted tilting gear, an idler gear connecting said tilting gear and pinion whereby rotative movement of said pulley causes rotative movement of said tilting gear, a casing in which said pulley, pinion, idler gear and tilting gear are mounted, said casing having an arcuate slot therein, a pin on said tilting gear and engaging said slot for limiting the rotative movement of said tilting gear, a spring pressed ball carried by said pulley, and a disk carried by said casing and adapted to have contacting relationship with said ball, said disk having a plurality of circumferential openings provided therein to receive said ball.

10. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a casing, a revolubly mounted pulley, a. tilting gear driven by-said pulley, a shaft mounted in said tilting gear and adapted to be removed therefrom, said shaft extending through one side of the casing, said shaft adapted to be inserted into said tilting gear on opposite sides of said gear whereby said tilting device is adapted for either right or left-hand operation.

11. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a casing, a revolubly mounted pulley, a tilting gear driven by 'said pulley, a shaft removably mounted in said tilting gear and extending through one side of the casing, said shaft adapted to be inserted into said tilting gear on opposite sides of said gear whereby said tilting device is adapted for either right or left-hand operation, a plate having sockets therein fixed to a part of said casing, and a spring pressed ball operatively carried by said pulley and adapted to have contacting relationship with said disk and with the sockets therein.

12. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a casing, a revolubly mounted pulley, a tilting gear, a pinion on said pulley, an idler gear meshing with said pinion and said tilting gear whereby rotative movement of said pulley causes rotative movement of said tilting gear, a shaft removably mounted in said tilting gear and extending through the casing, said shaft adapted to be inserted into said tilting gear on opposite.

sides thereof wherehyvsaid tilting device is adapted to be mounted on either the right or the gear.

13. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a casing, a revolubly mounted pulley, a tilting 5 gear, a pinion on said pulley, an idler gear meshing with said pinion and said tilting gear whereby rotative movement of said pulley causes rotative movement of said tilting gear, a shaft removably mounted in said tilting gear and extending through the casing, said shaftadapted to be inserted into said tilting gear on opposite sides thereof whereby said tilting device is adapted to be mounted on either the right or the left-handside of a, Venetian blind, and friction means carried by said pulley and easing.

14. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a casing, a revolubly mounted pulley, a tilting gear, a pinion on said pulley, an idler gear meshing with said pinion and said tilting gear whereby rotative movement of saidpulley causes rotative movement of said tilting gear, a shaft removably mounted in said tilting gear and extending through the casing, said shaft adapted to be inserted into said tilting gear on opposite I sides thereof whereby said tilting device is adapted to be mounted on either the right or the lefthand side of a Venetian blind, and friction means, carried by said pulley and casing, said friction means comprising a spring pressed ball 80 and a socketed plate.

15. A Venetian blind tilting device comprising a casing, a. revolubly mounted pulley, a tilting gear, a pinion on said pulley, an idler gear meshingwith said pinion and said tilting gear whereby as -.rotative movement of said pulleycauses rotative movement of said tilting gear, a shaft removably mounted in said tilting gear and extending through the casing, said shaft adapted to be inserted into said tilting gear on opposite sides 40 thereof whereby said tilting device is adapted to be mounted on either the right or the left-hand side of a Venetian blind, friction means carried 'by said pulley and easing, said friction means comprising a spring pressed ball and a socketed plate, said means for limiting the rotation of the tilting gear comprising an arcuate slot in the casing, and a pin on the tilting gear engaging said arcuate slot.

16. A tilting device for Venetian blinds comprising a tilting element, cord operated means for rotating the tilting element, and stop means con- 1 trolled by the cord operated means for limiting the rotation of the said tilting element.

17. A tilting device for Venetian blinds comprising a casing, a revolubly mounted member, a revoluble tilting element driven by said member, a shaft operated by said tilting element and adapted to extend through one side of the casing,

said shaft also being adapted to be reversed in 0 the casing to extend through the opposite side of the casing whereby said device is adapted for either right or left hand operation. 4

Ramona c. PRA'I'I. u 

